A Musician's Life

Series produced by WXPN

Caption: PRX default Series image
PRX default Series image 

A grab bag of musicians muse about the creative and mundane aspecs of their lives. WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum hosts this ongoing five minute weekly series

In the series A Musician?s Life listeners learn about musicians? lives first-hand. We?ll hear from performers at various stages of their career?those on the rise; those who have ?made it? and those who may be struggling for some recognition. They?ll describe both the creative and mundane sides of what they do, including:

? The biggest sacrifice they ever made for their art
? How they work with the music industry
? How they feel about critics and fans
? The realities of touring
? The stories behind specific songs
? Fall-out from writing about people in their personal lives
? Any toll their work takes on their personal lives
? Dealing with writer?s block
? Growing up wanting to be an artist
? Taking care of the voice
? Taking care of one?s health

This is a five-minute weekly series hosted by WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum. She created the feature in 2006 and won the 2007 ACE award (Award for Creative Excellence in the Triple A category) for her efforts. Even though Tracey hosts and interviews the artists, she makes sure they take center stage, adding her voice or question only when appropriate. So AML has a first person feel. The program features a hefty-dose of each artist's music. The 5 minute length provides an option for stations looking for other content to replace NPR newscasts.

Performers include Sheryl Crow, Nick Lowe, Bob Mould, Mary Gauthier, Tegan and Sara, John Doe, Jim White, Vusi Mahlasela, Michael Penn, Kristin Hersh, Jill Sobule, Colin Hay, Tift Merritt, Jason Isbell, Francis Dunnery and more, more, more... Hide full description

In the series A Musician?s Life listeners learn about musicians? lives first-hand. We?ll hear from performers at various stages of their career?those on the rise; those who have ?made it? and those who may be struggling for some recognition. They?ll describe both the creative and mundane sides of what they do, including:

? The biggest sacrifice they ever made for their art
? How they work with the music industry
? How they feel about critics and fans
? The realities of touring
? The stories behind specific songs
? Fall-out from writing about people in their personal lives
? Any toll their work takes on their personal lives
? Dealing with writer?s block
? Growing up wanting to be an artist
? Taking care of the voice
? Taking care of one?s health

This is a five-minute weekly series... Show full description


67 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
Chris Walla doesn't take anything for granted. As producer and guitarist for one of today's most popular bands, Chris is happy his old audience re...

Bought by WGDR and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 23, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
In New Zealand Liam Finn's dad Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House) is royalty. Both in the U.S. and at home Liam is trying to establish him...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 22, 2008
  • Length: 05:01
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Musician Martin Sexton is a pretty happy guy. After years of struggling, he seems to have it all.

Bought by WGDR, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 16, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
Carrie Rodriguez thought she'd spend her career backing other musicians. Now the fiddler and singer songwriter has folks who back her plus a new a...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, Northern Community Radio - KAXE & KBXE, Minnesota, WGDR, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 12, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
Chip Taylor has been a professional golfer, gambler and hit-making songwriter. He says some of his obsessions have served him well.

Bought by WGDR and KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio


  • Added: Sep 11, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
The performer known for her 1995 hit "One of Us" is back with a new album. Joan recorded "Little Wild One" as a love letter to her adoped home of ...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, WGDR, and KMXT


  • Added: Aug 22, 2008
  • Length: 05:01
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
In the early 1960's Leslie Gore's songs spoke to adolescents. With the British invasion, Gore lost her appeal to the teen set but she continued m...

Bought by KMXT


  • Added: Aug 19, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
John Doe is best known for his contributions to X, one of America's seminal punk rock bands. Nearly three decades after X's inception, John Doe is...

  • Added: Aug 11, 2008
  • Length: 05:01
Piece image
San Francisco-based roots artist Chuck Prophet loves the musician's life but never glorifies it. His songs have earned him critical praise and a h...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, KMXT, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 01, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
Jeff Daniels is best known as a versatile actor but he says playing music gives him greater creative freedom.

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 18, 2008
  • Length: 05:01
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Michael Penn is married to Aimee Mann-a member of indie-music royalty. He's also older brother to oscar-winning actor Sean Penn. Still Michael ha...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, KXOT Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: Jul 18, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
Most people confuse Sam Phillips with the man who discovered Elvis Presley and Jonny Cash. But the Sam Phillps on this edition of the feature was ...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, KMXT, KXOT Public Radio, and New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 16, 2008
  • Length: 05:01
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
Music icon Ani Difranco says she unconsciously wrote the same song over and over until she realized she was carrying old family wounds.

Bought by WGDR, KUFM - Montana Public Radio, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 07, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
As the cliche goes Jeb Loy Nichols marches to his own drummer. It makes his life difficult. But his singularity helps yield great music

Bought by KXOT Public Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Jun 20, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Part storyteller, part wanderer, Texas songwriter Joe Ely talks about lessons he learned from a life of travel.

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, KXOT Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: Jun 20, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
On this edition of "A Musician's Life" Tracey Tanenbaum speaks with punk and indie rock icon Bob Mould

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 13, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Peter Case is best known for his work with the '80's power pop band The Plimsouls, but at heart he's a folkie. Case is most at home crafting songs...

Bought by KXOT Public Radio and WMNF


  • Added: Jun 11, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay admits he hasn't had the most successful solo career. He's grateful the big bucks he earned with his old ban...

Bought by KXOT Public Radio and WMNF


  • Added: Jun 02, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
The on-line All Music Guide calls Jim White "a uniquely twisted talent". On this edition of A Musician's Life the Athens, Georgia based artist tal...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, KXOT Public Radio, KMXT, Georgia Public Broadcasting, WMNF and more


  • Added: May 21, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 6
Piece image
Drummer Martin Atkins is most associated with John Lydon's post sex pistols band PIL. But he's got his hands in all aspects of music, including te...

Bought by KMXT, KXOT Public Radio, and WMNF


  • Added: May 09, 2008
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3